Seventeen University of Wisconsin Oshkosh seniors who demonstrate high academic achievement and leadership qualities have each been awarded the prestigious 2010 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.

The criteria for the award include academic achievement, University-related service and community involvement other than athletics. The award includes a $500 scholarship.

Several of the recipients already have found a job or have made plans for further education.

Alex Abendschein will work as an assistant coordinator for departmental initiative at Kansas State University, where he has accepted a graduate assistantship.

“I received my job through the Oshkosh Placement Exchange, which is a job hiring conference for students looking for careers in student affairs and housing,” Abendschein said. “Graduate assistant opportunities are great ways to fund your education and get some extraordinary, real-life experience within your field of study.”

Following an internship in spring 2009, Abby Schultz received a full-time position offer from Baker Tilly Virchow Krause in Appleton.

“I attribute my success to being committed to finding the right fit for me, and after countless interviews and four different internships during my time at UW Oshkosh, I finally found it,” Schultz said, adding that persistence and flexibility are a must for graduating seniors.

Other students have fine-tuned their post-graduation plans in light of the challenging job market. Jon Kline, for example, plans to volunteer with the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust over the summer and spend a year saving money before returning to college for an MFA in cinematography.

Kimberly Krejcarek is looking for a job in the news broadcasting market. Her advice for her fellow graduates takes the form of a quote from civil rights leader Howard Thurman:

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Added Megan Heiden, “The economy is very frustrating right now, but something will fall into place eventually. It’s important to remember that although your first job might not be your dream job, it will help further you in your career and provide you with valuable experiences for your next job.”

The recipients of the 2010 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence are as follows:

Alex Abendschein graduates with a major in criminal justice. He served as president of United Students in Residence Halls, vice president of the Oshkosh Student Association and as a leadership development specialist for Residence Life. Abendschein chaired a working group for e-textbooks that was awarded $296,000 grant and served as an instructor for the “Inviting Convicts to College” program. He will pursue a master’s degree in college student development at Kansas State University while serving as an assistant coordinator for departmental initiatives in the Department of Housing and Dining.

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Shane Arman graduates with a major in journalism. He served as president and public relations coordinator for Reeve Union Board, winning the Outstanding Leadership Award and Jerry Bloesel Leadership Award. Arman is a member of Kappa Tau Alpha, the National Journalism Honor Society, the University Honors Program, and he developed and implemented a campus-wide, promotional multimedia contest, “I Chose UWO.” He will be interning with a public relations firm in Chicago this summer.

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Maria Dahn graduates with a major in elementary education. She is a member of the Future Educators of America, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Golden Key Honor Society. Dahn organized fundraising efforts for the March of Dimes, served as editor for UW-Sheboygan’s student newspaper The Voice and helped establish a Children’s Literature Section in the UW-Sheboygan library. She plans to pursue a career as an elementary education teacher in an inclusive classroom.

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Megan Heiden graduates with a major in social work and a minor in Spanish. She served as the president of the Rainbow Alliance for HOPE and was a community adviser for the University’s Residence Life department. Heiden received the Social Work Excellence Award, Outstanding Queer Student Activist Award and the Student President of the Year Award. She plans to find a social work position in the area and pursue a master’s degree in social work in the near future.

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Elizabeth Hirst graduates with a major in elementary education. She returned to higher education through the Accelerated Licensure Program for Early Childhood Professionals, serving as lead teacher at Child Choice Learning Center in Appleton while earning her degree. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Hirst served as a mentor to several Fox Valley Technical College students. She plans to pursue a career as a second-grade teacher.

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Stephany Kiel graduates with a major in criminal justice. She is one of three Distinguished Military Graduates in her battalion, placing her in the top 2 percent of ROTC students across the nation. Kiel spent her senior year leading 92 cadets as executive officer of a Fox Valley battalion and will begin her career as a military intelligence officer following commencement, serving as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, stationed with the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade in Ansbach, Germany.

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Jonathan Kline will graduate with a major in Radio-TV-Film and a minor in creative writing. He served as the Titan TV Station manager and was an Oshkosh Student Association senator and vice president pro tempore. Kline also produced eight short films and participated a 24-hour creative marathon providing pro bono advertising to nonprofit groups in Wisconsin. He intends to pursue a career in creating and producing independent films and television.

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Kimberly Krejcarek graduates with a major in Radio-TV-Film. She served as a Titan TV news anchor, alumni relations director for UW Oshkosh’s National Broadcasting Society chapter and president of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Krejcarek received the 2007 Coca-Cola Foundation National Award, 2007–08 Leadership Award at UW-Manitowoc and was awarded an Oshkosh Chapter of Women in Management scholarship. She will pursue a career in news broadcasting.

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Sarah Mueller graduates with a major in secondary education-English. She was member of the Student Wisconsin Education Association and served as a writing tutor at the University’s writing center and volunteered as a tutor within the Oshkosh Area School District. She also volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and Oshkosh Newman Center. She plans to pursue a career in secondary education English language arts.

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Krista Newell graduates with majors in economics, mathematics and Spanish. She served as president of the University’s Math/Stats Club, secretary of the Economics Student Association and secretary of the International Student Association. In addition to publishing her research in Oshkosh Scholar, she served as a tutor for the Center for Academic Resources, PreCollege Program and Mathematics Department. She will pursue a doctorate in economics at the University of Oregon.

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Jose Orona graduates with a major in biology-liberal arts. He is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society, played on the football team, and was a McNair Scholar and a Wisconsin Alliance for Minority Participation in Research Scholar in 2009. Orona also served as a paleontology research assistant at the University and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. He plans to pursue a career in physical therapy.

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Malinda Reichert graduates with a major in chemistry. She is a Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholar and in 2009, participated in the Research Experience for Undergraduates program at Iowa State University. Reichert also was involved with the Chemistry Club, Hands on Oshkosh, Science Olympiad and Westboro Conservation Club. She will pursue a doctorate. in chemistry from Iowa State University.

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Ashley Romenesko graduates with majors in marketing and human resource management. She served as the vice president of Marketing Club for three terms, was the budget manager for the Society of Leadership and Success, and was a College of Business ambassador. She also was a member of the UW Oshkosh Honors Program and earned Dean’s List recognition seven consecutive semesters. She hopes to secure a full-time job at an international Fortune 500 company and eventually return to UW Oshkosh to pursue a Master of Business Administration.

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Abby Schultz graduates with majors in finance and accounting. She served as the first president of the UW Oshkosh chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society as well as the president of Beta Alpha Psi. Schultz also was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society and the National Society for Leadership and Success. She has accepted a position with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause in Appleton and will begin working toward a certified professor accountant designation upon graduation.

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Jacki Thering graduates with majors in music – instrumental performance and music education. An accomplished pianist, violinist and viola player, she won the University Concerto Competition and performed a solo performance with the UW Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra. Thering also won the Richard G. Gaarder Award from the Wisconsin Music Educators Association. She will attend Butler University in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in violin performance.

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Janeil Velez graduates with a major in elementary education. A mother of three children, she remained actively involved in her community, teaching Sunday school in Waushara and serving as a classroom volunteer and Parent Teacher Organization president at Redgranite Elementary School, while attending classes. Velez earned Dean’s List recognition for every semester at UW Oshkosh. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in education-reading specialist.

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Ashley Wangberg graduates with a major in political science. She served as president of United Students in Residence Halls (USRH) and is a member of the Pre-Law Society and the University Honors Program. Wangberg served as a delegate at the Wisconsin United Residence Hall Association and the Great Lakes Affiliate of College & University Residence Halls conferences. She has accepted a full-tuition scholarship at Michigan State University’s College of Law.